Heitinga - Moyes won't go

John Heitinga believes it would take a 'really special' offer to prise long-serving manager David Moyes away from Everton.

Last Updated: 04/12/11 11:11am

John Heitinga: Full of praise for David Moyes but is realistic about Everton's prospects for the season

John Heitinga believes it would take a 'really special' offer to prise long-serving manager David Moyes away from Everton.

Moyes will bring up a decade in charge at Goodison Park next March and Heitinga has the utmost respect for the job he has done on Merseyside.

There have been times when Moyes has come under pressure and times when he has been linked with other jobs, while Everton's financial restrictions have been a source of frustration for everyone including the Scot.

However, Heitinga sees the passion Moyes has for the club and is confident he will be staying around for a long time.

The defender can understand other clubs being interested but feels it would have to be one of the very best to persuade Moyes to leave Everton.

"I think eighth place is all we can really hope to aim for," Heitinga said in the Sunday Mirror.

"But it is always going to be a possibility that one of the really big clubs will come in for David Moyes.

"After Ferguson and Wenger, he is the third-longest serving manager in the Premier League. That is an unbelievable achievement.

"He won't leave unless he gets an offer from a really massive club.

"He loves Everton and after 10 years, it will need to be something really special to make him even think about leaving."

Realistic

While Heitinga recognises that it will be difficult to finish in the top seven of the Premier League, he believes Everton have the strength of character to make the most of what they have.

"Of course we all want to win trophies. When you finish your playing career you want to show your children the things you have won," he said ahead of Sunday's home clash with Stoke.

"But there are a lot of good teams in England who have a lot of money to invest in players.

"We have to be realistic and admit it will be hard to beat them all.

"Our goal can be about eighth place. If we get there maybe we can then aim higher and qualify for Europe.

"We don't have a lot of money to buy players, but what I can tell the fans is that everybody here is working hard.

"We all have Evertonian hearts and although the technical ability is important to be successful, so is having spirit and determination."